Web Design Forums

freelancr · 02-07-2009, 13:39

I've been after a domain name for over 18 months now, codekeepers.com, but it was already registered. I was able to register the alternatives, codekeepers.co.uk/.net/.org/.org.uk, but some berk was sat on the .com.

The most infuriating thing was the original owner of the domain didn't want it, and I was willing to buy it from them, but they didn't seem to be very bright and claimed they didn't know how to transfer the domain from Yahoo to me.

The domain then expired, but a squatter immediately bought it and up went the usual fake search engine covered in adverts. I thought then I would never get it off them, unless I was willing to pay thousands - which I wasn't. I had let domains expire in the past, and 10 years on they are still squatted by these parasites.

So I had a look around at the various domain sniping tools, but most seemed to be connected to some kind of auction and I didn't want to be bidding against a bot so decided to buy a domain watcher from 123-Reg. I have used 123-Reg for about 10 years now, so thought I could trust them enough to part with £17.25 for a domain watcher. I set it all up in January and forgot about it hoping it would get lucky at some point.

Anyway, I was bored today so checked to see if it was available. I didn't make a note of when the domain was due to expire again as I wasn't that confident in ever being able to own it... but as luck would have it the domain was available. So I registered it with another registrar, and went to check on my domain watcher... still sat there doing fuck all.

What a bloody con. I've sent an e-mail to 123-Reg asking for a credit note, or a refund if they can't issue a credit note. If they refuse I'm going down there with a fucking baseball bat.

PointandStare · 02-07-2009, 17:33

2 things there stink of rip-off:

Quote:

Originally Posted by freelancr

123-Reg

and

Quote:

Originally Posted by freelancr

domain watcher

either individually or together - they are a bit like paying for an 'extended guarantee' on a dishwasher.

pob · 02-07-2009, 18:22

to be fair you have the domain now. i would call it lesson learnt. plus the £17 and the cost of the domain is prob less than you would have to pay some squatting pikie. never unnderstood why you would want 5 extensions of the same domain unless you a huge international company.

marksk01 · 02-07-2009, 20:19

I would quite happily let someone use some of the other domains if I had .com .co.uk and .net

added traffic if people go on yours thinking they are the others

freelancr · 03-07-2009, 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by pob

never unnderstood why you would want 5 extensions of the same domain unless you a huge international company.

At the very least we wanted to get the .com and the .co.uk, because if someone else bought the .com and started offering the same services we did - or forwarded it to meatspin - then it wouldn't do us much good!

freelancr · 03-07-2009, 10:27

Well bugger me they gave me a refund!

I still wouldn't advise anyone use a domain watcher though, I don't think it does anything.

YesHosting · 05-07-2009, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by freelancr

Well bugger me they gave me a refund!

I still wouldn't advise anyone use a domain watcher though, I don't think it does anything.

The domain watchers are generally a "scam" I know thats a powerfull word to use. The registra you are using the "watching" with, has no control to be honest - it's all down to the registrant of the domain you are watching..

Steer clear to be honest..

tinytim · 17-10-2009, 10:42

I came across this thread when searching "can you trust domain watcher services" as I wanted to find out if anyone else had the same problem as me. Hence my post.
I too have set up domain watchers with 123reg and never "got" the domain. All domain have been very undesirable in domain terms ie; long with two or more hyphens. Only those researching the domains history and links would know they were of any use.
The people that have been successful in securing the domains have all been individuals ie; not companies that use those catching facilities.
I have come to the conclusion that in setting up a domain watcher all you are doing is alerting an employee or employees at 123reg (or any other domain registration company) to a potentially valuable domain coming up and they or a friend buys it.

I for one will certainly never use this service again, I check the domain every day myself.

02-07-2009, 13:39	#1 (permalink)
freelancr Web Developer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,767	123-Reg Domain Watcher: Biggest con ever... I've been after a domain name for over 18 months now, codekeepers.com, but it was already registered. I was able to register the alternatives, codekeepers.co.uk/.net/.org/.org.uk, but some berk was sat on the .com. The most infuriating thing was the original owner of the domain didn't want it, and I was willing to buy it from them, but they didn't seem to be very bright and claimed they didn't know how to transfer the domain from Yahoo to me. The domain then expired, but a squatter immediately bought it and up went the usual fake search engine covered in adverts. I thought then I would never get it off them, unless I was willing to pay thousands - which I wasn't. I had let domains expire in the past, and 10 years on they are still squatted by these parasites. So I had a look around at the various domain sniping tools, but most seemed to be connected to some kind of auction and I didn't want to be bidding against a bot so decided to buy a domain watcher from 123-Reg. I have used 123-Reg for about 10 years now, so thought I could trust them enough to part with £17.25 for a domain watcher. I set it all up in January and forgot about it hoping it would get lucky at some point. Anyway, I was bored today so checked to see if it was available. I didn't make a note of when the domain was due to expire again as I wasn't that confident in ever being able to own it... but as luck would have it the domain was available. So I registered it with another registrar, and went to check on my domain watcher... still sat there doing fuck all. What a bloody con. I've sent an e-mail to 123-Reg asking for a credit note, or a refund if they can't issue a credit note. If they refuse I'm going down there with a fucking baseball bat.

02-07-2009, 18:22	#3 (permalink)
pob Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brighton Posts: 953	to be fair you have the domain now. i would call it lesson learnt. plus the £17 and the cost of the domain is prob less than you would have to pay some squatting pikie. never unnderstood why you would want 5 extensions of the same domain unless you a huge international company. __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-07-2009, 20:19	#4 (permalink)
marksk01 Got to start somewhere Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cardiff Posts: 341	I would quite happily let someone use some of the other domains if I had .com .co.uk and .net added traffic if people go on yours thinking they are the others

03-07-2009, 10:27	#6 (permalink)
freelancr Web Developer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,767	Well bugger me they gave me a refund! I still wouldn't advise anyone use a domain watcher though, I don't think it does anything.

17-10-2009, 10:42	#8 (permalink)
tinytim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	I came across this thread when searching "can you trust domain watcher services" as I wanted to find out if anyone else had the same problem as me. Hence my post. I too have set up domain watchers with 123reg and never "got" the domain. All domain have been very undesirable in domain terms ie; long with two or more hyphens. Only those researching the domains history and links would know they were of any use. The people that have been successful in securing the domains have all been individuals ie; not companies that use those catching facilities. I have come to the conclusion that in setting up a domain watcher all you are doing is alerting an employee or employees at 123reg (or any other domain registration company) to a potentially valuable domain coming up and they or a friend buys it. I for one will certainly never use this service again, I check the domain every day myself.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)